Name: KC Talaro 

Name of Business: KC’s Guided Fishing LLC. 

Website: 

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089072001637 

What is your experience with trout fishing, and how many years have you been guiding? 

I have been fishing for salmon trout and steelhead in rivers and estuaries since I was 5 years old. At 37 now that makes for 32 years of my life fishing. I recently decided to become a fishing guide in January of 2023. 

What type of trout do you primarily focus on (e.g., Brown, Rainbow, Brook)? 

I primarily fish for salmon and steelhead 

Can you describe your approach to teaching beginners the basics of trout fishing? 

When I have new guests in my boat I will usually dedicate the first 10 to 15 minutes of the day on an easy piece of water to fish. I will position my boat somewhere to make things easy and allow for an easy cast or presentation. From there I will typically give a visual demonstration and talk my way through the basics, step by step. After that it is their turn to give it a try. Once their words and body language tell me they have what I’m teaching comfortably and they have a good grasp on what to do, we will move on with our day. As the day progresses I get more familiar with their personality and ability and fish water or techniques within their grasp. The last thing I want is for my group or guest(s) to feel self-conscious or too far outside of their comfort zone in a boat with someone they hardly know. 

What are some of the most effective techniques you use for catching trout in this area? 

Typically float fishing is a staple in my approach while steelhead fishing. The rigging is simple. It is fairly easy for anglers of all skill levels to pick up and it is highly effective in most types of water that salmon and steelhead hold in. 

How do you handle safety measures, and what equipment do you provide for clients? 

Safety is number 1 in my boat. We dont start the day until I explained the Do’s and Dont’s in regards to safety. I give a brief but clear talk about what we do and how we react in the event of an emergency. In regards to safety equipment I provide life jackets, a throwable safety device attached to rope, an air horn and whistle are on board and I maintain a clean safe vessel for my guests. 

What’s your go-to bait or lure for tricky trout, and why? 

There are many variables that come into play here. I can’t say I have one bait or lure that I lean or rely on. 

I would say I analyze the water conditions and adapt my approach or simply try and show the fish something they haven’t seen if I know they are there but aren’t willing to play right away. With that said, I will add there are also times when I feel it is best to move on and look for other fish that may be more cooperative. 

How do you adapt your guiding strategies based on weather conditions or time of year? 

The first thing that comes to mind is watching river levels online and just knowing how different rivers react to the weather. From there I can determine which rivers will fish the best on any given day. It also gives me a pretty good idea which rivers will have more pressure on them from other anglers. I talk back and forth with other guides and friends to keep a pulse on what rivers are fishing best in my area also. 

What’s the most memorable fishing experience you’ve ever had with a client? 

I was salmon fishing with a group of four people one day. The day prior to this the fish were more than cooperative. For whatever reason the next day was the opposite. At around the 10th hour of the day one of my guests gets bit and we get a nice chinook salmon into the boat. On the next pass through the hole two people are getting bit at the same time and they both hook up! At first it appears that their lines have become tangled so I encourage them to just continue fighting their fish and when they get closer to the boat ill figure out what to do next…moments later a salmon is slid into the net with both of their leaders in its mouth! 

If you were a fishing lure, what type would you be and why? 

I’m not sure about that one. I’ll have to ask others what they think. lol 

How do you maintain the fun aspect of fishing even on days when the fish just aren’t biting? 

I think most of my guests are out there because they already enjoy fishing or have an interest. And navigating through rapids in a drift boat or a jet sled is fun! The anticipation as you fish new water hunting for a biter is fun! When it all finally comes together and you hook one fish on a tough day it is far more rewarding and exciting than the 20th one on a good day.In between all of it I just simply try to stay engaged with them and establish what kind of personalities they have and read the situation. Then adapt and base any sort of conversation, joking or humor off of that. 

Pro Questions: 

Can you share a nuanced Pro Tip for identifying and interpreting underwater structures where trout are most likely to congregate? 

Sure, a snorkel mask! 

What’s your expert-level Pro Tip for fine-tuning drag settings to manage fighting trout effectively, especially larger ones? 

I would say there is no rhyme or reason. How the fish is acting will determine what you need to do. 

Do you have a Pro Tip that addresses the subtleties of fly presentation, particularly when dealing with wary or highly pressured trout? 

When fishing on highly pressured fish I would say be sure you are fishing where they actually are holding. Cover as much potential holding water as possible in a day and take note of what other anglers are doing and show the fish something different if your go to methods aren’t working. 

What’s your Pro Tip for seasonal transitions in trout behavior and how to adapt strategies to these shifts? 

Pay close attention to river levels, water temperature and water clarity. Those three things will dictate what type of water the fish are in, what techniques will work best and what to present to them.